GDS Drafts New Technology Code of Practice

The Government Digital Service (GDS) has produced a draft version of a new technology code of practice to help departments become “smart users” of technology.

GDS deputy CTO, Andy Beale, said that as government technology had changed and that “huge progress had been made” it was time to update it.

In a blog post Beale said: “Our new draft takes this progress into account, while continuing our focus on the user needs that have been at the heart of the transformation of government technology.”

He added that the aim of the code was to provide a "clear statement of what a good approach to technology looks like” and a flexible framework with which to “assess technology plans against".

GDS aims to encourage departments to take a more “mature approach to sourcing IT”, help people determine the ideal target state for their technology services and consequently make better decisions.

Beale said: “We want government to continue to be a smarter user of technology, and to do that government needs to be a smarter customer.

“We also want to recognise the variety of strategic, commercial and business contexts in which government technology work happens, and enable departments and agencies to deliver great technology that meets their needs.”